Bunbury bank giving back this Christmas, holding toy appeal for kids in need

Aussie Home Loans Bunbury has teamed up with the Salvation Army for a second-hand Christmas present appeal to support families doing it tough. The cost-of-living crisis is having a major impact on Australian families this holidays, with a forecast released by the Australian Retailers Association predicting Australians will spend $66.8 billion between November and Christmas Eve, just 0.1 per cent more than last year. Aussie Home Loans will open its Bunbury store during the holiday season for second-hand toy collection to help those who may not have the budget to splurge on new toys. Earlier this year, Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged the hardship many families will face thanks to these tough economic times. “This Christmas will be incredibly tough for many Australians which is why our primary focus is rolling out billions of dollars of relief to take the edge off cost-of-living pressures without adding to inflation,” he said. The Labor Government stated that the help it would be giving families comes through energy bill relief, cheaper prescriptions and childcare and the increase in Commonwealth rent assistance. Aussie Bunbury will be taking all donations including bicycles in good condition, books without rips, tears or writing, board games that are in usable condition, sporting gear in usable condition, teddy bears and dolls without rips or haircuts and Lego or build-able toys with all parts included. Although all donations are welcome, the appeal has asked people avoid donating toys that are ripped or in bad condition, toys with missing parts and stained or ripped clothing. The drop off point is located at Aussie Bunbury, 141 Victoria Street, Bunbury.